Key retainer



July i7 1934 H. R. sEGAL 1,966,937

KEY RETAINER Filed Sept. .4. 1931 N V EN TOR.

A TTORNEY Patented July 17, 1934 PTET @FICE 16 Claims.

The invention relates to an improvement in a key holding device particularly intended for retaining in compact fashion a plurality of sets of lock releasing keys and of the type in which a desired key may be partly extended to release a respective lock.

In my copending application for a key retainer filed June 29, 1931, Serial No. 547,659, the housing or casing in which the keys are stored comprises complementary hinged members each of which includes one or more key retaining slideably disposed carriages. In accordance with the present invention an aspect thereof resides in the provision of means for retaining lock releasing keys in a housing or casing having the keys in frequent use maintained therein concealed by a slideably disposed member comprising supporting means for a multiplicity of keys infrequently in use, such as, keys for opening locks associated with bank safe deposit boxes, or keys for locks mounted on doors on houses or rooms seldom opened. As another aspect of the invention,` the keys retained within the casing, although out of View, may be quickly selected and partly extended outside of the casing to operate a lock, however, without opening the casing or an associated foldable cover for the casing, the cover being preferably of pliable stock such as leather or cloth, which includes means for guarding the set of keys between the cover and casing against play or rattling.

According to the present invention, the keys retained within the casing include means accessibie outside of the folder for selection of key and for the extension of the shank portion thereof outside of the casing.

According to the present invention, the keys sustained by the slideable member or closure for the casing are suspended from clasps of such design as to prevent the keys from being disengaged therefrom and consequently fall out of the cover or pouch.

The invention will probably be entirely clear from the above, but may additionally be discussed in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the key retainer, partly broken away and partly in section and illustrating the folder cr cover opened.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. l, with the folder closed.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, with the folder closed.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, in the direction of the arrows.

(Cl. 15G- 40) Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a clasp on which a key in limited use is suspended.

Fig. 6 is a perspective of a modified key retainer and ig. 7 is a section across the line 7--7 of Fig. 60` 6.

While the invention is applicable for all types of keys, it is of particular advantage in connection with keys for the cylinder type of lock and although, only keys for cylinder locks are shown, it is understood, that the invention is not limited thereto.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, two casings each generally denoted 10 are placed side by side and the adjacent sides 11 are suitably secured together. Each casing includes a plate 12 provided with end Walls 13 and 14 and outer side walls l5.

Side walls 15 of each casing include an inwardly extending flange 16 which provides a guide for the closure, broadly denoted 17, adapted to slide between outer side walls 15 and against iianges 16. To obtain access to the mechanism hereinafter described within the casings, the closure 17 may be slideably detached and when reconnected thereto, the closure is limited in its movement by the inwardly extending flanges as 18 on end walls 13.

Each plate 12 of the casings is provided with an elongated slot 19 and surrounding the latter is boss 20 for a purpose hereinafter set forth. Within each casing there is a slideably arranged carriage, generally designated, 21 each of which comprise a flat plate 22 slideable over and against respective plates 12 of associated casings.

Cooperating with each carriage are a pair of spaced springs 23 and 24 which have only their terminals as 25 secured to respective plates 22. The intermediate portions 26 of each spring are curved and extend inwardly terminating in a free reflexed portion as 27, which yieldingly support the neck portion of a lock releasing key 28.

slideable plate 22 of the key carriages includes a slot 29 in registry with slot 19 of a respective casing and a post 30 extends through both slots. Attached to the inner end of these posts is an annulus 31. Posts 30 guide longitudinal movement of respective carriages in the casings, and the annulus 31 cooperating with manipulator buttons 32 attached to the outer ends of the posts and adapted to slide along the outer faces of respective bosses 20, maintain the carriage plate 22 and casing plates 12 in proper slideable relation.

The annulus of each post provides a seat for the upper perforated portion 33 of associated keys and being bodily movable with a respective post through the actuation of its manipulator by the operator, the annulus further constitutes means for moving an adjacent key carriage longitudinally of the casing for extending the shank portion 34 of the key through an opening 35 in wall 13 beyond the limits of the casing, or through the operation of a manipulator, if a key is extended beyond the casing, the annulus coacts to shift its carriage in the opposite direction and bring the key within the casing.

Although, posts 30 may be moved longitudinally of slot 19 of the casing nevertheless an associated carriage will not be moved until the post reaches one end or the other` of slot 29 in the carriage and accordingly a lost motion connection between a carriage and casing is provided which is taken advantage of for accommodating varying sizes of keys owing to the fact that the annulus may be adjusted relatively of the free terminals of the springs without causing associated carriages to move.

Closure plates 17 embodies an inclined portion 36 and integral therewith but offset with respect to plate 17 is an upper flat extension 38 carrying a clasp supporting flat plate 39 provided with spaced slots as 40 in which rings 4l are loosely mounted on a transverse rod 42 suitably held to the upper portion of plate 39 by the turned over or coiled portion 43.

Interccnnected with rings 41 are the rings 44 to which are loosely connected clasps broadly indicated 45, adapted to receive keys 46. These keys are seldom in use and are carried as above set forth by the slideable closure plate 17 for concealing keys as 28 within their casing except when the latter are in use. Keys 28, are in gen-y eral use and may be quickly selected although out of view by either sense of touch, or by sight, in the event the manipulators are provided with numerals in relief or with a peculiar embossed design to identify its key orthe ma.- nipulator may include an individual color for each key.

Each clasp is a one piece memberof metal having the curved ring receiving portion 46 which extends into juxtaposed throat portion 47 which in turn flare intov spaced legs 48 and 49. Leg 48 includes an arm having spaced lugs` 50 which interconnect with tongue 51 extending from leg 49. To insert a key within the clasp, leg 49 is sprung outwardly disconnecting tongue 51 from lugs 50, and the key is placed over the lugs, leg 49 is freed and returns by its own resiliency with the tongue andI lugs interlocking and thus preventing the key from being acci. dentally disengaged from the clasp.

In order to hold keys 46 against the slideable closure plate 17 and to improve the appearance of the retainer in addition to holding keys 46 out of view, a folderl or cover, generally indicated 52, preferably of a suitable pliable` material is secured in any well known manner, such asY by glue or the like, to plates 12 of the key casings, it being noted, however, that the interme diate section 53 thereof includes slots 54 adapted to nt snugly over bosses 20 of the casings and flush therewith.

Wing or sectionV 55 of the covering includes a thin nat and elongated strip 56 which mayl Lesage? be of leather, or metal or any other material and when wing 55 is folded the strip bears against the clasps to prevent keys 46 from slipping or rattling (see Fig. 2). Shorter wing section 57 is folded over the longer wing 55 and these wings are detachably secured by the snap fastener comprising complements 58 and 59. With the cover folded and locked and the keys 28 concealed within the casings, the key retainer, constitutes a device adapted to be carried in a vest pocket or in a ladys hand bag.

The key retainer disclosed in connection with Figs. 6 and 7 is identical to the construction hereinbefore described with the exception that a single casing is shown for supporting only one key frequently in use and that the slideable cover 17 comprises a post 60 pivotally supporting several superimposed keys as 46.

Keys 46 are held together by screws 61, the stem of which passes through a perforation in one of the Wings of the folder 52 and into post 60. In this modification and by way of a further exception there is no need for a flat guard strip as 55. To select a key, one section or wing is unfolded as shown in Fig. 6, and a desired infrequently used key 46' may be swung out from the stack between the closure 17 and a wing of the covering for use on the pivot provided by post 60.

With the modification illustrated in Figs. 6

and 7 as with the preferred embodiment to extend the shank of a key concealed Within the casing the operator simply slides manipulator 32 which actuates carriage 21 and by this action the key may be extended for intercommunication with an associated lock.

Although, two key casings have been illus,- trated in the preferred embodiment with their juxtaposed sides secured, it is within the provision of the invention to have one casing for supporting several key carriages, and with such a construction sides 11 would be eliminated.

For purposes of the present specification, the normally concealed keys within the casing which are selectable through the actuation of an associated manipulator disposed outside of the cover, may be considered as one set of keys more frequently in use than the set of keys carried by the closure plate.

With the preferred embodiment, of course, a concealed key may be extended beyond the casing without unfolding the wings although, if a key of the set carried by the closure plate, is to be selected, wings 55 and 57 necessarily must be detached and one opened.

To obtain access to` the interior of the casing, the covering is first opened, and subsequently the closure plate 17 with its set of keys may be bodily removed by sliding it out in one direction until disconnected from the flanges 16 and sides 15. Accordingly, a key carried by a carriage may be removed and another substituted in its stead;

By the expression casing is meant, a member having a compartment adapted to support one or more keys or key carriages.

While the invention has been described with reference to certain specific details, it willl be understood, that thisA is for the purpose of illustration to make the invention clear and understood and is not limited thereto and changes therein may be made which come within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. In a key retainer, the combinationl of, a

casing, carriage means therein for removably sustaining one or more keys frequently in use, closure means slidably associated with said casing and adapted to support a set of keys infrequently in use, a pliable cover having one portion secured to the casing and other free portions in overlapped relation above said closure, and means on the cover indivilual to each key frequentiy in use and cooperating With. respective carriage means to extend a rst mentioned key beyond the casing or to conceal the last mentioned key Within the casing, if extended.

2. In a key retainer, the combination of, a casing, a plurality of carriage means slideably connected therein With each carriage means individual to a key in frequent use, a closure comprising a iiat elongated plate slidably associated with a portion oi said casing, a plurality of clasps swingably mounted on said closure for supporting several keys seldom in use, a pliable elongated cover having an intermediate portion secured to the casing and other free portions in overlapped relation above said closure, a manip- Aulator for each key disposed in said casing, and `means operatively connecting a manipulator with an associated carriage for extending its key beyond the casing.

3. In a key retainer, the combination of, a

casing, a plurality of carriage means slideably 4connected therein with each carriage means individual to a key in frequent use, a closure comprising a fiat elongated plate slideably associated with a portion of said casing and concealing the V previously mentioned keys from view, and including means for swingably carrying a plurality of clasps for detachably holding several keys infrequently in use, a pliable cover secured to the casing and having free portions foldable over said last mentioned keys, means for detachably 'locking said free portions to obtain access to the keys infrequently in use, and means on said cover individual to a key concealed Within the casing and operatively associated with a respective carriage to extend a portion of the last mentioned key beyond the cover.

4. A key retainer, including, in combination an elongated casing, a key carriage disposed Within and slideably associated therewith, a closure slideably mounted on said casing, means as- Vsociated with said closure for supporting several keys, a cover secured to the casing and enveloping the closure, and means on the outside of said cover individual to a key Within the casing for operating its associated carriage to extend i the shank portion of the key mounted therein beyond the casing.

5. A key retainer, including, in combination, a plurality or" casings, a key carriage Within each casing slideably associated therewith, a closure vcommon to said casings and slideably mounted thereon, means associated with said closure for supporting several keys, a cover secured to the casings and enveloping the closure, means on the v outside of said casing identifying a key concealed Vwithin the casing for operating a carriage to ex- Vincluding an elongated slot, a carriage slideably supported on said plate for removably supporting a key and including a slot in registry With said plate slot, a guide flange extending from Ysaid sides, a closure slideably associated with said vvalls and guided by said flanges, said closure being adapted to conceal the key of said carriage and being removable from the casing, a cover, a pin extending through said slots and being longitudinally movable therealong and projecting Within the carriage and beyond the cover, a manipulator attached to the pin adjacent the cover for operating a respective carriage to extend its key beyond the casing.

7. The retainer according to claim 6 wherein the casing includes a boss surrounding the plate slot, and the cover embodies a slot surrounding said boss.

8. A key retainer, including, in combination, a casing having iront, rear and side Walls integrally associated with a common plate including a plurality or elongated spaced slots; a plurality of key carriages each having a slot in registration With a plate slot, a guide flange extending inwardly from said sides, a closure for concealing the key of said carriages slideably associated with said Walls and guided by said flanges, the closure being removable from said casing, a pliable cover having one portion secured to the casing, and a lost motion connection between each carriage and casing and including means for extending a respective key out of the casing.

9. Tlie retainer according to claim S in which the casing includes a boss surrounding each plate slot and the cover comprises a slot surrounding cach boss, with the portions of the cover containing the slots secured to said casing.

l0. In a key retainer, the combination of, a casing, key supporting means slideable therein, a key supporting closure for said casing, a cover carried by the casing and foldable over said closure and means accessible outside of the cover ior operating said key supporting means to extend its key beyond said casing.

1l. In a key retainer, the combination of, a casing, key supporting means slideable therein, a key supporting closure, a cover secured to the casing and having free portions oldable over said closure, means for locking said portions and a manipulator individual to said supporting means and accessible outside of the cover for extending its key beyond the casing, and means associated With said cover to prevent appreciable movement of the keys on said closure.

12. In a key retainer, the combination of, a casing, key supporting means slideable therein, a key supporting closure slideably mounted on the casing, a cover having an intermediate portion secured to the casing and including free portions oldable in overlapped relation over said closure, means for locking said free portions and means individual to said supporting means and accessible outside of the cover for slideably displacing its key.

13. A key retainer, including, in combination, a casing having iront, rear and side Walls integrally associated With a common plate including an elongated slot, a carriage slideably supported on said plate for removably supporting a key and including a slot in registry with said plate slot, a guide flange extending inwardly from a pair of said sides, a closure slideably associated vvith said Walls and guided by said flanges, said closure being adapted to conceal the key of said carriage and being removable from the casing, an elongated pliable cover having an intermediate portion secured to said tration With said slots of the carriage and casing, a pin extending through said slots and being longitudinally movable therealong and projecting beyond the cover and Within the casing, an enlarged terminal secured to the portion of the pin disposed Within carriage and constituting a seat for its key and a manipulator attached to the portion of the pin extending beyond the cover for shifting its respective carriage and the key disposed therein.

14. A key retainer, including, in combination, a casing having front, rear and side Walls integrally associated with a common plate including an elongated slot, a carriage slideably and adjustably supported on said plate for removably supporting a key and including a slot in registry with said plate slot, a guide lange extending inwardly from at least two of said sides, a closure slideably associated with said walls and guided by said flanges, said closure being adapted to conceal the key of said carriage and being removable from the casing, an elongated pliable cover having an intermediate portion secured to said common plate and comprising a slot in registration with said slots of the carriage and casing, a pin extending through said slots and being longitudinally movable therealong and projecting beyond the cover and Within the casing, an enlarged terminal secured to the portion of the pin disposed Within carriage constituting a supplementary seat for its key and a manipulator attached to the portion of the pin extending beyond the cover for shiftingits respective carriage and the key disposed therein, said cover having laterally disposed wings and means for detachably securing said Wings in overlapped relation.

15. In an article retainer, the combination of, a casing, article supporting means slidable therein, an article supporting closure slidably mounted on said casing, a cover having an intermediate portion secured to the casing and including free portions foldable in overlapped relation over said closure, means for locking said free portions and means individual to said supporting means and accessible outside of the cover for slidably displacing its key.

16. In a retainer, the combination of, a casing, a slidable key carriage disposed therein, a slidable closure connected to the casing for conceaiingv the key of said carriage, a cover attached to the casing, means operatively connected tothe carriage and slidably arranged with respect to the cover and casing for extending the key beyond the casing, the closure including means for pivotally carrying a plurality of superimposed keys, said cover including laterally extending Wings, and a common portion thereof secured to the casing, the Wings being foldable over the superimposed keys in overlapped relation and detachably connected.

HYMAN R. SEGAL. 

